Home PC Help

Having troubles with your Home PC?  Here's some handy references if you choose to do it yourself!

How do I keep my PC safe?

The basics (see details below)

1. Use a hardware firewall.
2. Use one Antivirus program.
3. Keep programs updated and patched.
4. Backup your data.
5. Use a Surge Protector.

1.  Firewall

The best choice is a hardware router (The Cisco/Linksys/NetGear/etc. box that allows you to share your internet connection with multiple PCs). 

If you also want to run a software firewall on your PC, the built-in one in Windows XP / Vista / Win7 is fine for running behind a hardware router.  If you have a laptop and connect in a lot of public locations, you may wish to upgrade to a more robust software firewall product, or carry a small portable hardware router.

2.  Viruses / Spyware

All PCs MUST be protected by a good antivirus program.  Buy one now, install it, set it to automatically update itself regularly, and buy a new one every year (it will be nearly free after rebates).  If you do not have a virus scanner, your PC is already infected, guaranteed.  You only need ONE of these.

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free for any home use and small business.   Early results suggest it's really good.  It's what we use for most residential applications.

'Spyware' ('malware') is a tracking program that collects information from your computer and sends it to other computers.  The most common ones monitor your web surfing habits and generate pop up ads.  You can get these by installing what appears to be 'free' software, but the fine print of the license agreement says that you agree for them to load a tracking agent on your computer. 

Almost all of the add-on 'search bars' that you add to Internet Explorer (except the Google / Yahoo toolbars) are spyware. It's difficult to tell the good from the bad without reading the license very carefully, or by research on the internet (Google the name of the tool plus the word 'spyware' often does it). 

3.  Security Updates

Keep your Windows PC current with the latest security updates and patches! 

• Microsoft Update - Always install all "High Priority" updates.

Then go patch all the 'other' applications - Firefox, QuickTime, iTunes, Acrobat, Flash, Java, Firefox, Skype...etc.  Our  Platinum Monitoring and Patching Service will do this (and more!) for you.  We review and select patches weekly, and send them out to your PC automatically. 

4. Backups

Sooner or later, you will lose data on your PC.  Either you accidentally delete something (most common), the PC hardware fails (occasionally) , or a virus will get you despite your best efforts (never really happened to me yet). What would you do if a thief steals your PC today??

Regular backups of your data, or of your whole computer, is essential!

File only Online Backups (for your important data files!)

At the least, copy your "My Documents/Photos" to a Flash Drive or DVD and store it away from your computer (a fireproof safe, or the trunk of your car).  This is a quick "mini-backup" (this does not backup your email).  Consider one of the online solutions for your most important data files.

Dropbox	Dropbox - Synchronizes files betweens computers and the web.  Also allows nice way to share large files with a link.. Free for first 2G.
	SugarSync - An online backup, first 5GB free, with web & mobile access.   $5 per month.
	Mozy - An online backup.  Free for first 2G.  $5 per month.
Jungle Disk	Jungle Disk is an ultra-cheap, ultra reliable online storage service.  It's what I use.

Full PC Backups

External Hard Drives are under $100, and make a great quick backup choice for home users.  Some backup programs to consider...

5. UPS / Surge Protectors

To protect your computer against power spikes or lightning strikes you need a Surge Protector or a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply).

I like the APC & TrippLite brands. They guarantee their equipment with insurance, and they replace damaged equipment free.    My sister gets lightning strikes regularly - the equipment is always protected, and when it does fry the APC - they send her a new one.

A surge protector can protect your electronics from power surges, but most inexpensive surge protectors cannot protect against lightning strikes. More expensive power protection equipment, such as a UPS, can provide far better protection than a surge protector, in addition to providing battery backup power when a power outage occurs.   A UPS will also have a link to the computer to provide useful diagnostic tools and can automatically shut down your computer safely when the power goes out or the  battery runs low.

A battery backup that is labeled as a "UPS" means it provides much better protection including voltage regulation.  Every UPS has a "VA" (Volt Amps) number rating, which indicates how much power the UPS is designed to protect. The higher the number, the more watts it can support. 500VA UPS can usually protect 250 watts. Most computers have a power supply capable of around 220 watts, but most normal computers will actually use about 110 watts of power. The more devices inside a computer, such as hard drives and cards, the more power the computer will consume.

At the very least get a surge protector.  I often use the APC or TrippLite brands, about $35-$50. These have network protection also.  For the best protection, get a UPS, like a 350-500VA APC UPS, $50-100.

The cheap no-name power strips with 'reset' buttons that most people use are worthless as protection against lightning.

Hoaxes / Phishing

In general, any email that says 'send this to other people' is a hoax. Any email that says there is a virus that isn't handled by your virus scanner is a hoax.  Any email that promises you money is a hoax.

You can always test them quickly by going to Google, and searching for the word "hoax" and a few key words from the email, e.g., "email tracking hoax".  This will usually lead you quickly to the Symantec site or another hoax-busting site.

Phishing is a bogus email/website that tries to get you to divulge your personal information.  Check out this DOD presentation.